Richard A Strode

Richard A. Strode fell asleep with the love of his life and woke up peacefully next to his Maker on October 15, 2021.

Rick was born in Springfield, IL, on September 15, 1942, the son of Charles R. and Ethel I. (Trotter) Strode.  He married Donna Lee Tuxhorn on June 14, 1968, at the 3rd Presbyterian Church of Springfield.  Rick served with the United States Navy from March 31, 1966, to March 12, 1968.  He was deployed aboard the USS Boston during the Vietnam War and served as a Lithographer.  On his return he continued to serve with the Naval Reserves and later transferred to the IL Army National Guard where he was a Photo Journalist with the 139th Public Affairs Detachment located at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, IL.  He was also a Federal Technician working for the IL Army National Guard as an Offset Press Operator.  He retired from the United States Military on September 15, 2002, after greater than 38 years of military service.

Rick’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, taking pictures, spending quality time with family, and actively satisfying his sweet tooth. In retirement, he enjoyed helping his wife with her passion, flowers and gardening, feeding both the birds and squirrels, and napping.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Lee Strode; son Todd A. (wife, JoAnn) Lawson, daughter Martha M. (husband, Steve) Miller, and son Donald R. (wife, Valerie) Strode; grandchildren, Wayne A. Lawson, Richard, R Lawson (Alicia), Alicia N. Strode, Sydni L. Strode, and Cody R. (wife, Megean) McCaughan; great grandchildren Harper, daughter of Rick and Alicia, Raiden, son of Sydni Strode, and Iris, daughter of Alicia Strode; step-grandsons, Richard L. Dowllar (wife, Kimberly), Joseph A. Dowllar; step great  grandchildren, Miranda and Mackenzie, daughters of Richard and Kimberly, and Zachary, son of Joseph siblings Tom (wife Donna) Strode, Jerry Strode, Charles (wife, Donna) Strode, Sandy (husband, Robert) Ranson, and Scott (wife, Rosa) Genack; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Visitation will be held for Rick on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home in Springfield from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3:00 p.m.  A live feed of the memorial service will be available for those who cannot be physically present at https://www.facebook.com/ellingerkunzandparkfuneralhome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

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